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The New England Journal of Medicine Jul 2018
Topics: Aged; Amputation, Surgical; Humans; Male; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio vulnificus
PubMed: 30044934
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1716464 -
Marine Drugs Dec 2021is a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and requires iron for growth. A clinical isolate, . M2799, secretes a catecholate... (Review)
Review
is a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and requires iron for growth. A clinical isolate, . M2799, secretes a catecholate siderophore, vulnibactin, that captures ferric ions from the environment. In the ferric-utilization system in . M2799, an isochorismate synthase (ICS) and an outer membrane receptor, VuuA, are required under low-iron conditions, but alternative proteins FatB and VuuB can function as a periplasmic-binding protein and a ferric-chelate reductase, respectively. The vulnibactin-export system is assembled from TolCV1 and several RND proteins, including VV1_1681. In heme acquisition, HupA and HvtA serve as specific outer membrane receptors and HupB is a sole periplasmic-binding protein, unlike FatB in the ferric-vulnibactin utilization system. We propose that ferric-siderophore periplasmic-binding proteins and ferric-chelate reductases are potential targets for drug discovery in infectious diseases.
Topics: Animals; Aquatic Organisms; Ions; Iron; Periplasmic Binding Proteins; Vibrio vulnificus
PubMed: 34940709
DOI: 10.3390/md19120710 -
Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in South America: water, seafood and human infections.Journal of Applied Microbiology Nov 2016The bacterial species, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, are ubiquitous in estuaries and coastal waters throughout the world, but they also happen to be... (Review)
Review
The bacterial species, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, are ubiquitous in estuaries and coastal waters throughout the world, but they also happen to be important human pathogens. They are concentrated by filter-feeding shellfish which are often consumed raw or undercooked, providing an important potential route of entry for an infective dose of these bacteria. Vibrio parahaemolyticus can cause abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, chills and fever. Vibrio vulnificus can cause similar gastrointestinal-related symptoms, but can also spread to the bloodstream, resulting in primary septicaemia, and it can also cause disease via wound infections. The objective of this article is to summarize, for the first time, the incidence and importance of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in South America, in environmental waters and seafood, especifically molluscan shellfish, as well as human infection cases and outbreaks. It appears that infections from V. parahaemolyticus have been more strongly related to shellfish ingestion and have been more frequently reported on the Pacific coast of South America. Conversely, V. vulnificus has been more frequently acquired by water contact with open wounds and its presence has been more heavily reported along the Atlantic coast of South America, and while documented to cause serious mortality, have been relatively few in number. The impacts of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have been observed to cause an increase in V. parahaemolyticus outbreaks on the Pacific coast of South America. The implementation of a regulated monitoring approach, along with the use of faster, more accurate and virulence-specific detection approaches, such as PCR confirmation, should be considered to detect the presence of pathogenic Vibrio strains in environmental and seafood samples for protection of public health. Furthermore, improved clinical surveillance with suspected cases should be implemented. This review highlights the need for more research and monitoring of vibrios in South America, in water, shellfish and clinical samples.
Topics: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Mollusca; Seafood; Shellfish; South America; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Vibrio vulnificus; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 27459915
DOI: 10.1111/jam.13246 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Jun 2023Incidence of vibriosis is rising globally, with evidence that changing climatic conditions are influencing environmental factors that enhance growth of pathogenic spp....
Incidence of vibriosis is rising globally, with evidence that changing climatic conditions are influencing environmental factors that enhance growth of pathogenic spp. in aquatic ecosystems. To determine the impact of environmental factors on occurrence of pathogenic spp., samples were collected in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, during 2009 to 2012 and 2019 to 2022. Genetic markers for Vibrio vulnificus () and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (, , and ) were enumerated by direct plating and DNA colony hybridization. Results confirmed seasonality and environmental parameters as predictors. Water temperature showed a linear correlation with and , and two critical thresholds were observed, an initial increase in detectable numbers (>15°C) and a second increase when maximum counts were recorded (>25°C). Temperature and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus ( and ) were not strongly correlated; however, the evidence showed that these organisms persist in oyster and sediment at colder temperatures. Salinity (10 to 15 ppt), total chlorophyll (5 to 25 μg/L), dissolved oxygen (5 to 10 mg/L), and pH (8) were associated with increased abundance of and . Importantly, a long-term increase in spp. numbers was observed in water samples between the two collection periods, specifically at Tangier Sound (lower bay), with the evidence suggesting an extended seasonality for these bacteria in the area. Notably, showed a mean positive increase that was ca. 3-fold overall, with the most significant increase observed during the fall. In conclusion, vibriosis continues to be a risk in the Chesapeake Bay region. A predictive intelligence system to assist decision makers, with respect to climate and human health, is warranted. The genus includes pathogenic species that are naturally occurring in marine and estuarine environments globally. Routine monitoring for species and environmental parameters influencing their incidence is critical to provide a warning system for the public when the risk of infection is high. In this study, occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, both potential human pathogens, in Chesapeake Bay water, oysters, and sediment samples collected over a 13-year period was analyzed. The results provide a confirmation of environmental predictors for these bacteria, notably temperature, salinity, and total chlorophyll , and their seasonality of occurrence. New findings refine environmental parameter thresholds of culturable species and document a long-term increase in populations in the Chesapeake Bay. This study provides a valuable foundation for development of predicative risk intelligence models for incidence during climate change.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Vibrio vulnificus; Chlorophyll A; Ecosystem; Ostreidae; Vibrio Infections; Water
PubMed: 37222620
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00307-23 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2023Vibrio vulnificus is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen, occurring in warm low-salinity waters. V. vulnificus wound infections due to seawater exposure are infrequent...
Vibrio vulnificus is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen, occurring in warm low-salinity waters. V. vulnificus wound infections due to seawater exposure are infrequent but mortality rates are high (~ 18%). Seawater bacterial concentrations are increasing but changing disease pattern assessments or climate change projections are rare. Here, using a 30-year database of V. vulnificus cases for the Eastern USA, changing disease distribution was assessed. An ecological niche model was developed, trained and validated to identify links to oceanographic and climate data. This model was used to predict future disease distribution using data simulated by seven Global Climate Models (GCMs) which belong to the newest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Risk was estimated by calculating the total population within 200 km of the disease distribution. Predictions were generated for different "pathways" of global socioeconomic development which incorporate projections of greenhouse gas emissions and demographic change. In Eastern USA between 1988 and 2018, V. vulnificus wound infections increased eightfold (10-80 cases p.a.) and the northern case limit shifted northwards 48 km p.a. By 2041-2060, V. vulnificus infections may expand their current range to encompass major population centres around New York (40.7°N). Combined with a growing and increasingly elderly population, annual case numbers may double. By 2081-2100 V. vulnificus infections may be present in every Eastern USA State under medium-to-high future emissions and warming. The projected expansion of V. vulnificus wound infections stresses the need for increased individual and public health awareness in these areas.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Vibrio vulnificus; Vibrio Infections; North America; Wound Infection
PubMed: 36959189
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28247-2 -
Microbiology and Immunology Jan 2017Vibrio vulnificus, a gram-negative halophilic estuarine bacterium, is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes rapidly progressive fatal septicemia and necrotizing... (Review)
Review
Vibrio vulnificus, a gram-negative halophilic estuarine bacterium, is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes rapidly progressive fatal septicemia and necrotizing wound infection. This species also causes hemorrhagic septicemia called vibriosis in cultured eels. It has been proposed that a range of virulence factors play roles in pathogenesis during human and/or eel infection. Among these factors, a metalloprotease (V. vulnificus protease [VVP]) and a cytolytic toxin (V. vulnificus hemolysin [VVH]) are of significant importance. VVP elicits the characteristic edematous and hemorrhagic skin damage, whereas VVH exhibits powerful hemolytic and cytolytic activities and contributes to bacterial invasion from the intestine to the blood stream. In addition, a few V. vulnificus strains isolated from diseased eels have recently been found to produce a serine protease designated as V. vulnificus serine protease (VvsA) instead of VVP. Similarly to VVP, VvsA may possess various toxic activities such as collagenolytic, cytotoxic and edema-forming activity. In this review, regulation of V. vulnificus VVP, VVH and VvsA is clarified in terms of expression at the mRNA and protein levels. The explanation is given on the basis of the quorum sensing system, which is dependent on bacterial cell density. In addition, the roles of environmental factors and global regulators, such as histone-like nucleoid structuring protein, cyclic adeno monophosphate receptor protein, RpoS, HlyU, Fur, ToxRS, AphB and LeuO, in this regulation are outlined. The cumulative impact of these regulatory systems on the pathogenicity of V. vulnificus is here delineated.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Hemolysin Proteins; Humans; Metalloendopeptidases; Metalloproteases; RNA, Messenger; Vibrio vulnificus; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 28111826
DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12465 -
Microbiology Spectrum Feb 2022Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring, potentially lethal pathogen found in coastal waters, fish, and shellfish. Sewage spills in coastal waters occur when...
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring, potentially lethal pathogen found in coastal waters, fish, and shellfish. Sewage spills in coastal waters occur when infrastructure fails due to severe storms or age, and may affect bacterial populations by altering nutrient levels. This study investigated effects of sewage on clonal and natural V. vulnificus populations in microcosms. Addition of 1% sewage to estuarine water caused the density of a pure culture of V. vulnificus CMCP6 and a natural V. vulnificus population to increase significantly, by two to three orders of magnitude, whether measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) or culture and in batch and continuous cultures. Changes in the transcription of six virulence- and survival-associated genes in response to sewage were assessed using continuous culture. Exposure to sewage affected transcription of genes that may be associated with virulence, i.e., it modulated the oxidative stress response by altering superoxide dismutase transcription, significantly increasing transcription while repressing Sewage also repressed transcription of which encodes a sodium-phosphate cotransporter. Sewage had no effect on transcription or the putative virulence-associated genes or The effects of environmentally relevant levels of sewage on V. vulnificus populations and gene transcription suggest that sewage spills that impact warm coastal waters could lead to an increased risk of V. vulnificus infections. Vibrio vulnificus infections have profound impacts such as limb amputation and death for individuals with predisposing conditions. The warming climate is contributing to rising V. vulnificus prevalence in waters that were previously too cold to support high levels of the pathogen. Climate change is also expected to increase precipitation in many regions, which puts more pressure on wastewater infrastructure and will result in more frequent sewage spills. The finding that 1% wastewater in estuarine water leads to 100 to over 1,000-fold greater V. vulnificus concentrations suggests that human exposure to oysters and estuarine water could have greater health impacts in the future. Further, wastewater had a significant effect on gene transcription and has the potential to affect virulence during the initial environment-to-host transition.
Topics: Animals; Fishes; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Humans; Ostreidae; Seafood; Sewage; Transcription, Genetic; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio vulnificus; Virulence
PubMed: 35171011
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01913-21 -
Trends in Microbiology Dec 2022The fulminating zoonotic pathogen Vibrio vulnificus is the causative agent of fatal septicemia in humans and fish, raising tremendous economic burdens in healthcare and... (Review)
Review
The fulminating zoonotic pathogen Vibrio vulnificus is the causative agent of fatal septicemia in humans and fish, raising tremendous economic burdens in healthcare and the aquaculture industry. V. vulnificus exploits various virulence factors, including biofilm-related factors and exotoxins, for its persistence in nature and pathogenesis during infection. Substantial studies have found that the expression of virulence factors is coordinately regulated by numerous transcription factors that recognize the changing environments. Here, we summarize and discuss the recent discoveries of the physiological roles of virulence factors in V. vulnificus and their regulation by transcription factors in response to various environmental signals. This expanded understanding of molecular pathogenesis would provide novel clues to develop an effective antivirulence therapy against V. vulnificus infection.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Vibrio vulnificus; Virulence Factors; Virulence; Transcription Factors; Biofilms
PubMed: 35753865
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.05.009 -
Biology Open Jun 2022Vibrio vulnificus is an opportunistic pathogen that naturally inhabits sea water globally and is responsible for most vibriosis-related deaths. The consumption of V....
Vibrio vulnificus is an opportunistic pathogen that naturally inhabits sea water globally and is responsible for most vibriosis-related deaths. The consumption of V. vulnificus contaminated seafood and exposure of wounds to Vibrio can result in systemic infection, with increased risks of amputation and extremely high rates of mortality. However, the pathogenicity and virulence factors of V. vulnificus are not fully understood. The genomic characterization of V. vulnificus will be helpful to extend our understanding on V. vulnificus at a genomic level. In this manuscript, the genome of V. vulnificus strain MCCC 1A08743 isolated from contaminated prawns from Zhanjiang, China, was sequenced using Illumina HiSeq X Ten system and annotated through multiple databases. The strain MCCC 1A08743 genome included 4371 protein-coding genes and 117 RNA genes. Average nucleotide identity analysis and core genome phylogenetic analysis revealed that MCCC 1A08743 was most closely related to strains from clinical samples from the United States. Pathogenicity annotation of the MCCC 1A08743 genome, using Virulence Factor Database and Pathogen-Host Interactions database, predicted the pathogenicity of the strain, and this was confirmed using mice infection experiments, which indicated that V. vulnificus strain MCCC 1A08743 could infect C57BL/6J mice and cause liver lesions. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Phylogeny; Seafood; Vibrio vulnificus; Virulence
PubMed: 35766638
DOI: 10.1242/bio.059299 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020The () hemolysin (VVH) is a pore-forming cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC). Although there has been some debate surrounding the virulence effects of the VVH, it is... (Review)
Review
The () hemolysin (VVH) is a pore-forming cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC). Although there has been some debate surrounding the virulence effects of the VVH, it is becoming increasingly clear that it drives different cellular outcomes and is involved in the pathogenesis of . This minireview outlines recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of gene expression, the biological activity of the VVH and its role in pathogenesis. An in-depth examination of the role of the VVH in pathogenesis will help reveal the potential targets for therapeutic and preventive interventions to treat fatal septicemia in humans. Future directions in VVH research will also be discussed.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Hemolysin Proteins; Humans; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio vulnificus
PubMed: 33193453
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.599439